Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 41:56-42:14

The local navies that matter in the South China Sea

Japan, Australia, South Korea, and especially Vietnam's littoral expertise would shape any coalition response in the South China Sea.

Japan Maritime Self-Defense ForceLittoral WarfareRepublic of Korea NavyRoyal Australian NavySouth China SeaUS NavyVietnamese Navy
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Question

Which regional navies would be effective US allies in a South China Sea conflict?

Short answer

Japan, Australia, and South Korea would matter, while Vietnam would be especially valuable in littoral and inshore waters.

Notes

In this 2020 assessment, Japanese and Australian forces are effective local partners for the United States, with South Korea also on the list. Vietnam receives particular emphasis for combat in confined coastal waters because its navy is adapted to its own littoral environment. Regional knowledge and force specialization matter alongside raw fleet size. Each partner brings capabilities shaped by local operating conditions.